District 87 upgrades proceeding

A new air conditioning unit at Glenbard East High School allowed students to remain focused on their work during the past week when temperatures were in the 90s, senior Chelsea Ramel told the Glenbard District 87 Finance Committee Monday night.

Ramel, student liaison to the board of education, said students have benefited from the cooler air.

“The students are a lot happier now. Our productivity is much better. The air conditioning helps the students function better especially when it’s hot outside,” Ramel said.

The upgrade was part of a $100 million plan for the four high schools with construction and renovations beginning last year. A major project is the addition of a new science wing to Glenbard West in downtown Glen Ellyn.

The finance committee received a quick overview of the 10-year plan funded through a combination of revenue streams, including $35 million in bonds and $6.5 million each year from the operations budget.

So far, the district has spent approximately $30 million and expects to spend $74.5 million within the first five years. Chris McClain, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, said progress has been swift, with completed projects including the air conditioning unit at Glenbard East, a paving project at Glenbard North, replacement of the chillers at Glenbard South and new boilers at Glenbard East. Glenbard West also will receive an updated air conditioning system. McClain said a formal presentation with photographs of the projects will be presented to the board at its Oct. 26 meeting.

McClain said the spending projections should be static if Illinois lawmakers do not pass austerity measures as they negotiate a state budget. McClain said the district is lobbying Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office to free up about $500 million in federal qualified school construction bonds, which he said would save taxpayers considerable expense.

“All that money is sitting there, not helping anybody,” he said. Any sum the district receives could be used instead of the $35 million in bond money, he said.

Board member Mary Ozog said she hoped a number of residents would reach out to their legislators to encourage the release of those funds.

Keown is a freelance reporter.

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